Musicians react to hearing Ayreon - Intergalactic Space Crusaders (Universe)

[@robynturnham2706]

One of Arjen's most fun songs. I hope you continue your Ayreon journey. Damian is a master of mic control. Watch the 'Druids turn to stone' from the same concert. His voice truley is that powerful that he does have to move the microphone away.

[@SYNtemp]

Yes, Druids turn to stone is stellar example of his singing...

[@oli46]

I'm always blown away by the opening of "The Eye of Ra" by Damian Wilson in this same concert. So subtle and then so powerfull! (and that song has Irene + Floor singing together, which is a nice treat)

[@matzek.3220]

I saw Damian's solo show earlier this month where he sang various sings from his 30 year long career. The two Ayreon songs were The Druids turned to Stone and Into the black Hole (vocals on the album by Bruce Dickinson). So good!

[@robynturnham2706]

@@matzek.3220 Damian is such a professional and a wonderful guy with it.

[@Esmeagolly]

I love that song but for Damian’s true might the live video of twisted coil reigns supreme.

[@erwinmulder1338]

Damien has a very powerful voice and trust me, he is NOT one lacking confidence.

[@evilvolts]

Actually they need to hear the song about Stones and the druids

[@catfdljws]

The greatest thing about Damien is his generosity. He's a great singer. He knows he is. Yet at every moment he's going what can I give to make YOU better. The moment is bigger than him and he'll give everything for the moment.

[@robertsheeler321]

I highly recommend there performance of "Everybody Dies" is a sight to see and hear from the same show .

[@richardthresh3587]

Yes ... THIS!

[@LenaDee666]

Love the reaction! Totally got addicted to the performances from this concert. Next up "Everybody dies" for sure :D

[@adamhaywood4808]

If you want to see Damian's singing skill try Twisted Coil from Electric Castle and other stories live

[@alexandersomers21]

I concur, you'll be blown away for sure ...!!!

[@renevermeij7492]

Absolute killer performance 🤘

[@sejuanisupportonly7385]

I second that.

[@Green-Lyon]

I agree. Twisted coil is a good demonstration of Damian's power and dynamic range.

[@peterkeijsers489]

The reason why Damian pulls his mic to the side is for the plosives (p, k, t) not to interfere with the sound. It's actually the best technique a singer can have in order to sing intelligibly. And yes, Damian also does have quite a powerful voice too. And no, the mixer didn't have to compensate (much) for the final result of Damian's voice. if you're a singer yourself, you SHOULD know that. Or at least, a good singer would know that anyway. It's not about (the lack of) confidence, but about mic control - as you stated.

[@noneofyerbeeswax8194]

Spot on. I'm no singer, but I've had some experience with mike preamps, mixing consoles and other audio equipment. Damian's mike technique looks great to me. It's a good thing they haven't seen any of the songs with Robert Soeterboek from the same show. That dude was definitely showing off, holding his mike half a meter away from his mouth. At this point, it was the compressor/ALC making him (and all the background noise) audible. These are cardioid mikes with a prominent proximity effect, you have to hold them right in your gob unless you're REALLY powerful.

[@ShadowhispersBand]

Maggy was in Nightmare and is now in the band The Prize. And in Ayreon of course. And Damian has that voice. He is that loud. Seen him in a small venue. His vocals are always on point.

[@matzek.3220]

I saw his solo show earlier this month and had a blast.

[@joslauwers7960]

No keyboard but a Hammond Organ! Originally the part Maggie Luyten is singing was done by Russel Allen, Russel could not be at this party so Arjen asked Maggie. On the Hammond was Joost van de Broek producer extraordinair and keyborad player of After Forever. Arjen Lucassen's right-hand man as Arjen has stage-fright and just do 1 to 3 songs

[@David_randomnumber]

I think it's not only stage fright. He always states that he is pretty bad with the guitar. He's got a great ear and know exactly what the guitar part should sound like but can't replicate it live so he sticks to studio where he can try again and again until it sounds like it should. Same with singing or keyboard. That's why he usually get the best of the best to do the work for him live. Personally I think he's too humble but on the other hand I can't play any instruments so I don't know how good or bad he really is. What I do know is : he's got a great ear for voices. It's a bit of a bummer that his early albums had too many effects on those gorgeous vocalists.

[@Immortall1408]

The keyboardist is Joost van der Broek - he is the brain of this whole operation, while Arjen Lucassen is the heart, in my humble opinion. He is also the producer for Epica and a few of other bands and projects. He records, arranges and mixes.

[@richardwest6358]

He has also been knighted and so is SIR Joost van den Broek

[@paulchapman2569]

​@@richardwest6358I've never found reference to that, even though Irene said to Google it.

[@JanStuivenberg2810]

And he worked on Floor's solo album. 🤘😎

[@dukejohn5608]

@@JanStuivenberg2810 And played keyboards in After Forever for years (Floor's first band)

[@havenhobby3729]

@@JanStuivenberg2810 Sir Jost was also the keyboardist and a creative in After Forever, Floor's 1st commercial band when she was still a teenager

[@pauloverbeeke2352]

f you like Floor Jansen (Nightwish) Simone Simons (Epica) Sharon den Andel (Within Temptation), Anneke Giersbergen (Gathering) they all sing in the Ayreon projects ! and a lot of singers from other bands in the Rock, Metal en Prog. bands ! Check Anneke with: Ayreon - Shores Of India (Electric Castle Live And Other Tales 2020) SUPER ! and don't forget to see the other 2 ! After these you want to see more and more and more. The godfather / creator of Ayreon is: Arjen Anthony Lucassen ! Not the keyboard player ! Check also The River of time (with Marko from Nigthwish) Last sept. there was a NEW performance / show !!! There are no new author videos jet online. think the are coming soon ! Check the website etc. from Arjan.

[@diedzjeeoudshoorn7726]

Ayreon is mindblowing. Arjen Lucassen's compositions are top notch. This is the epicentre of prog. rock. His unique talent is combining and motivating the worldwide topsingers in his compositions, from Australia to America, to participate in his projects. And setting up this top band of course. The outcome: They all shine, enjoying each others performance and skills, combining talent into something epic. The fun radiates from the podium. This is not just good music. This is an epic show where the good mood is transferred to the audience 1:1. The fanbase can be compared to the Nightwish army. They don't just love these artists. They adore them. It is a lovely scene to experience. No wonder up to 60 nationalities visit these shows. People fly the whole globe to attend. This is a worldwide phenomena. The duo Arjen with Joost are making history in these days...Eternal quality.

[@BrendonChase_2015]

So much fun, that one. And yes, Maggie was on fire & still is. Saw her at the latest Ayreon live concert back in September. Greatest show we've been to. If you fellas like to keep the uplifting vibe going, I strongly suggest you check out: "Everybody Dies" from the same Ayreon Universe Live concert, which was kinda like a "best of" show. Cheers from Amsterdam & prog on! 🤘

[@chriso6719]

I concur.

[@northof4912]

I second the concurrence….

[@fnglert]

I was there too, amazing show of my favorite Ayreon album.

[@noneofyerbeeswax8194]

So, u were there, at the greatest show on Y. How was that? Was Damian confident and singing into the bloody mike (not Mills) this time?😂

[@BrendonChase_2015]

@@noneofyerbeeswax8194 Found ya! nonotifs comme d'habitude oc. Yes, greatest Y in Tilburg. Same Damian, same struggle w/ mic. Wonder where he got that stellar reputation as a vocalist cuz one song is clearly enough to show his insecurities 🤣

[@mascha28swinkels]

I love this whole concert , listen to it start to finish on the regular ❤

[@merileopardisaksassa7030]

About Damien... Dio (yes, the Dio) actually really liked him. He called him 'one of the most versatile voices in rock' in an interview :D Can't get higher recommendation than that. He was also voted "Best Vocalist" six times at the Classic Rock Society UK Annual Awards!

[@one42chrisp]

If you want an introduction to the band, then “The Two Gates” is the song to watch, featuring Irene Jansen and if you want to hear Joost van den Broek play a great Hammond Organ solo then “Day 16: Loser” is the song to listen to.

Nice reaction! I like, that you go into some detail about sound and other details and aren't afraid to mention what you didn't like as much or would have done differently. 👍 On Damian's mic-control: after seeing him live in an acoustic show during the Ayreon weekend this year, he really can be quite loud. He might over-do it at times, me not being a singer I can't judge that. But with his 30 years of experience in many genres, I assume he knows what he is doing. He did a lot of prog, but also musical theatre (toured with Les Miserables for some years) and does acoustic shows, too. For more of his Prog side, he was in Threshold and is the current singer for Arena. But I have not really looked into both enough to give suggestions. For more from him in Arjen's music, Twisted Coil was mentioned already. Another good one is "And The Druids Turn To Stone" from the same concert. And besides his talent as a musician, he is just a very nice guy. He always seeks contact with the fans and comes out to talk to people waiting in line or after the show. And he is a great story teller. Once you met him at a concert, it is really hard to not like Damian. For more from Maggy: She is in the band The Prize. Their KZbin Channel is here: www.youtube.com/@ThePrizeBand During this concert she sings in: Ride The Comet, Star of Syrrah, Everybody Dies (I hope I didn't forget any)

[@robynturnham2706]

Don't forget all his touring with Rick Wakeman and his regular tours with Rick's son Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath keyboards and guitar) Then there is Head Space and his singing on Lalu's recent albums as well. Damian has appeared on over 70 separate album releases, and he is still active and sort after.

@@robynturnham2706 thank you for filling in the information I missed. The One Knight Only show in Zoetermeer was the first time I see Damian outside of Ayreon and there is a lot to discover. His short acoustic show in Tilburg was a glimpse into his other music and I knew I had to see his current show after that.

[@robynturnham2706]

@ He has such a range of vocals and genres. This one from Lalu, with Damian's vocals is fantastic - "The Chosen Ones" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ-tm5aHqsuZqsk It also features Jordan Rudess & Simone Mularoni Worth a watch.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

Peter Vink played bass in the Dutch band Q65, mid-sixties, and has been a big influence on Dutch rock music. I loved in the seventies to watch the tv series Blake's Seven, in which seven rebels and criminals are cruising the universe while being chased by the evil empire. The song is from the first Star One album, Space Metal, from 2002.

[@normora5857]

If you want to see Arjen himself playing, then listen to "the Castle Hall" from the same show, if you want to hear him singing, then "Amazing Flight" from the Into the Electric Castle live show is a great song to go to.

[@kicorse]

I discovered Ayreon through your first reaction to them. The biggest new find I've made from your reactions and one of my favourite bands you do (outside of bands like Band-Maid, Sokoninaru and Asterism that brought me to your channel in the first place).

[@tcarlstrom]

Damian Wilson is extremely dynamic in his vocals, in this song he goes from soft soft soft vocals to almost full belt, and yeah he is so extremely powerful he will clip any microphone in that circumstance

[@rnowak85]

Great Reaction to one of my favorite Arjen songs. This is not actually an Ayreon song but another of Arjen's projects, Star One. Star One songs are inspired by Sci fi TV shows and movies rather then residing in the Ayreon universe. This song is inspired by 70's British sci fi show, Blake's Severn. The ladies in the chorus are known as Ayreon's Angels and are from left to right, Irene Jansen, Lisette van den Berg, and Marcela Bovio. Irene and Floor have been involved with Areyon and Star One from the very beginning as teenagers. Irene was the lead singer of the band Karma before deciding to focus on family and is now a professor and an executive in a language learning company. Although not a full time singer she stills sings on Ayreon and Star One albums as well as other bands like Alarion. Lisette is the lead singer of the band Scarlet Stories. Marcela is also a long time collaborator. Originally from Mexico she was "discovered" by Arjen in a talent search he conducted to add a new singer to the Ayreon The Human Equation album. She has gone on to be the lead singer of a number of bands (Stream of Passion with Arjen, Dark Horse White Horse), ensemble singer (lead and backing) in a number of bands (Mayan, Vuur, The Gentile Storm with Arjen) as well as solo music. She also does backing vocals for many projects including recording most of the backing vocals for recent Epica. I am a huge fan of hers and consider her second only to Floor in her power, versatility, and storytelling. The Mayan song Rebirth from Despair live at the Masters of Rock is a great showcase for her vocal abilities. Arjen was not on stage for this song and often only plays or sings small parts of the live shows due to his stage fright. The man playing the keyboards is SIr Joost van den Brooek who is Arjen's right hand man and assistant producer for the Ayreon albums and live shows. He started as the keyboardist in Floor's first band After Forever and has gone on to be a famous producer for bands like Epica, Blackbriar, Powerwolf, and others. He also helped Floor on some of her solo album efforts.

[@rnowak85]

Some song recommendations. To hear Floor and Irene sing together checkout Eye of Ra from the same Ayreon Universe live show, Who I Am from After Forever, Wolf and Dog from Floor's solos shows (fan cam video only) and for a real treat, very young Floor and Irene as backing singers for a young Damian Wilson singing Into the Black Hole from a Star One concert in 2003, kzbin.info/www/bejne/paPMg2t5pa5gf9Esi=2p32Q_JWUfB6v8jM. For Marcela checkout Out in the Real World from the Ayreon Electric castle and Other Tales live show (Stream of Passion song), Rebirth from Despair live at Masters of Rock (Mayan) , Judgement Day lyric video (Dark Horse White Horse), and Here to Stay, Loneliness #1 and End of the World from her solo works.

[@robynturnham2706]

The song in it's original form, 17 years ago, can be found at - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmTUaJ-toZqhibM Russel Allen is there with young Damian, and Floor and Irene are singing the back up vocals. Amazingly you can see very young Joost on keyboards, Arjen on lead guitar and a younger Perter Vink on Bass.

[@MPDSR422]

Aryeon is the composer. Bo-El guitars are high end instruments from the Netherlands. The basses and solid body guitars are Bo-El. James has a powerful voice and he does use the Mike for effect and theatrics as well. The keyboardist is a knighted professional composer and arranger aside from his performance chops. He and Aryen are close friends. If you can believe it Aryen who writes fantastic music can’t read music. I was in discussions with him regarding staging his theater project back when COVID hit. Very nice guy.

[@roykliffen9674]

Peter Vink was the bassist of the Dutch garage rock band Q65 - world famous in the Netherlands - established in ..... 1965. Many in the crowd - especially the Gen-Xers will know of him. This song is based upon the "Blake's Seven" Sci-Fi tv-series. Basic premise of this series is a group of criminals/dissidents escaping a prison barge - en route to a prison planet - on board an abandoned alien space ship they encountered, which they were forced to board by the guards. They use the powerful ship to fight the oppressive government that imprisoned them. Among themselves they also have quite a few disagreements about what action to take - not helped by their strong independent will - which is reflected in this song.

[@TranScripting]

"I understand mic control, I do." Clearly not as much as you think you do.

[@dutchcuda]

just dive into Damian Wilson and start with Twisted Coil live... He has no reason to be insecure... at all.

[@Bonovin]

No big egos here, just the love to music ! And then Ayreon Angels !!! Great backing singers . Greetings from nwAse Sweden

[@eg3100]

Everybody dies, Age of shadows, Star of sirrahand Eye of Ra are very good songs, but to be honest, you cant miss with any song from the universe live.

[@TheWiseGrif]

Ride The Comet from this same concert is truly a spine tingling performance

[@dac2007]

This is actually a Star One song, another Arjen project that he does songs about sci-fi related movies he likes And yeah he's also a huge Deep Purple fan Also check out Everybody Dies (from Ayreon Universe too) for more of Maggie About Damian Wilson I think he wants to create a fade out effect in the chorus that's why he does that with the mic But he's very experienced vocalist and also has multiple great collabs with Arjen

[@jdal1105]

Everybody dies next please

[@joebarrera9741]

I'm a huge Fan Arjen is Amazing

[@nicoooot]

Check out the original version. It features Damian, Peter, Joost and Irene who were in this performance as well, but also Russell Allen, Floor Jansen and Arjen himself.

[@hisk7263]

There is a live version on KZbin. It’s as much fun. Search for Star One, intergalactic space crusaders live. @nicoooot probably knows all this already 🙂. Isn’t it the same drummer as well?

[@nicoooot]

@@hisk7263 Totally forgot to include Ed. shame on me...

[@leeblack3335]

Wouldn't you guys like to have them in your studio for a recording ???????????????????????🤔🤔👍👍

[@RolandDeschain1]

I can't wait for the blu-ray of the recent concert. Should be as utterly epic as the other ones.

[@vagabond142]

Technically, it's not Ayreon doing ISC... it's StarOne, Arjen's OTHER other project. He seriously has like 7 project bands XD

[@mrwomby5007]

The song is based on a British sci-fi tv show from the 70s. Like early Dr Who the scenery was heavy on expanded polystyrene and tin foil!

[@jancrommenacker9556]

Listen to the Druids turn to Stone (from this concert) and Twisted Coil (from the Electric Castle and other Tales) concert and then talk about Damien again, he is AWEFCKINSOM. Btw the guy on the keys is not the main composer, though Joost van den Broek is Arjen Lucassens right hand man and good friend.

[@misterlobsterman]

Damien has a stupid powerful voice. He knows what he's doing. He's choking the mic deliberately, believe me.

[@Shady_Mac]

Great reaction guys! This entire live concert is amazing. If you want to keep going. Everybody Dies should be the next stop. Also Age of Shadows, River of Time. Honestly. You can’t go wrong

[@TheMateriaalkunde]

Floor and Irene did a duet recently singing Dangerous Game. A good example of what Irene can do out of the choir. This song is not from the current (the Source) subject, it is said it has a reference to a Blake's 7 scene The base player, Peter Vink is one of the veterans Arjen has admired in his younger years, and they have played together. Peter was already active in 1965, so he is in his 70s of age here. That lolling tongue is an expression of (played) becoming exhausted (doggish..).

[@theglanconer6463]

Such a brilliant song. Always reminds me somehow about Blake's Seven.

[@silencio00]

Yeah...no...you don't want Damien unleashing his full power into the mic.

[@ronaldakkermans8166]

This song is a Star One song, one of Arjen's other projects. The Star One songs are influenced by movies and tv shows he loves. The Abbey of Sinn tells the story of The Name of the Rose, The Eye of Ra the story of the original Stargate movie and thís song of the late 70's British sci-fi series Blake's 7. Maggie Luyten is a Belgian singer. The keyboardist is Joost van den Broek, who played grand piano on The Day the World Breaks Down and was a member of Floor's first band After Forever. The short redhaired background singer is Marcela Bovio, who also sings lead on a few songs. She is a singer/voice teacher in the Netherlands, but is originally from Monterey, Mexico. Must be something in the water there...😉

[@csphoenix9]

Originally, this was on the Star One album, Space Metal, Arjen Lucassen project.

[@mportal1753]

Whe went there great show and yes whe where lucky to get tickets then and for the last show in 013 tilburg. It,s always great.

[@VXGaming]

Damián's mic placement is his style, he is actually very loud when he wants to be but he can sound very soft. Try Twisted Coil to hear and see more of his style.

[@alejandrariquelme9574]

Please, do more reactions from this show. Any song is great. Any Ayreon show is great, by the way. I like your reactions!

[@Magga-f3z]

Ex Nightwish Tarja New Album - Dark Christmas Out Now.

[@SanderDuijff]

Maggie Luyten is the Janis Joplin of Belgium, but then more progrock

[@hermanvanwissen2660]

Next could be amazing flight live with an introduction of Q (Star Wars)

[@majbrat]

Check out Aeryons live "Everybody Dies" to hear more of that raspy goodness, as well as a plethora of other great singers you may know 😉

[@harkodekker1846]

It's actually not an Ayreon song. This one is from the Star One debut album Space Metal.

[@jeffhall2411]

blake - 7 is the TV show that the song is about... this whole Star One Album was all about Sci fi shows and Movies.

[@sierkvanderwerf4765]

Damian Wilson does have to pull the mic back that far. His voice can get real loud.

[@evilvolts]

Star One songs that Arjen did were usually about shows or movies this one is about I believe a british series

[@evilvolts]

check out Everyone Dies- this whole concert was great

[@felipecampos3045]

you guys need to listen to dawn of a million souls next, it is probably the most epic ayreon song ever

[@crossloanstudio]

so you have never seen a musicman stingray bass, made in the USA?

[@peetur123]

Wtf, far too little reactions to this one 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@henri4843]

5:37 John Lord used a Hammond organ 🤘

[@evilvolts]

Magali was in Nightmare

[@MrWo-qj2yh]

this song is about blake 7

[@JuanSan66]

Ayreon is an amazing band. One of my favourites.

[@corneliusantonius3108]

"Blake's Seven"

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

Arjen Lucassen (the tall guitarist from "The day the world broke down") is the songwriter / creator / composer, but he rarely comes on stage. Joost van den Broek, whom you saw here on Hammond and keyboards is his right hand man, and he does many of the arrangements for the live events, besides playing the keyboards and also doing a lot of producing and mixing. Some tips for next reactions: - Everybody Dies live Universe, Spectacular! with Michael Mills, Hansi Kursch, Tommy Karevik, Maggie Luyten (she raspy lady from this video) and Floor! - Theory of Everything live, Universe, with Michael Mills, and Marcella Bovio - Amazing Flight, Electric Castle live, with many famous names (a.o. Simone Simons from Epica) - Cosmic fusion, Electric Castle live, with amongst others Simone and Mark Jansen from Epica... - etc. etc....

[@obud3777]

Peter's bass is a Big Generator STD-4 from Bo-EL Guitars, hand-built by Huub Boel. 🤘

[@RolandDeschain1]

Peter Vink played bass on the album this song came from. He also produced Arjen's first album. He's a real character, as you can see.

[@wannabedane4046]

Great you guys came back to Ayreon/Star One. Joost van der broek, was also Floor's partner in crime in After Forever, plays the grand piano on her cover of "Alone" and other songs.

[@richardhall6034]

Hi from the UK 👋 🇬🇧 this song is a homage to the British sifi series blakes 7 from the 1980s There's also one for the film 🎥 stargate Ayreon universe the eye of Ra live

[@Zozo-K-]

The main composer…Arjen…does not appear onstage much. He has really bad stage fright, but does appear on a couple of songs. The keyboard player here is Joost Van Den Broek, who is the live band “leader.” He started out in a band called After Forever with a young vocalist named Floor Jansen, who he met while recording for one of Arjen’s other projects called Star One.

[@noname-xw4uk]

🎉🎉🎉

[@erwinamesz7642]

We need SOOOOOO much more Ayreon on this channel!!!!!!! Lets GO!!!

[@bite28]

The raw passion and energy in their music is undeniable🔥 I now need to see you react on October Ends's new song Dark 😍

[@pauld6222]

On e of my favorite songs by Ayreon. Its such an earwurm.

[@paulchapman2569]

The original on stage line up (Star one 2003) was, Arjen, Damian Wilson, James Labrie, Joost, Peter Vink and Ed Warby with Floor and Irene Janson on backing vocals. Maggy is playing James's part here.

[@derringer47]

James Labrie ?